Command Control Power: Apple Tech Support & Business Talk

Jerry Zigmont
  • 4.7 (58)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Command Control Power: Apple Tech Support & Business Talk

Sam, Jerry, and Joe discuss their thoughts and draw from their combined experience of over 20 years in the Apple Consultants Network (ACN).

  1. 2D AGO

    622: Streamlining Revenue: Affiliate Insights and Network Solutions

    In this episode of Command Control Power, Joe and Jerry dive into the intricacies of network monitoring, leveraging affiliate programs for additional revenue, and the challenges of managing client relationships. They discuss Jerry's struggles with dermatological prescriptions and the importance of staying updated on tech services. The conversation shifts to the mechanics of Amazon's affiliate program, their frustrations with Amazon's strict rules, and how they incorporate other affiliate programs like Backblaze and Uptime Robot into their business models. The duo also shares insights on using tools like Choosy for managing multiple browsers and discusses the pitfalls of extensions like the Honey browser extension. Finally, they highlight the importance of offering network monitoring services to clients and the strategies they use to sell these essential services.   00:00 Introduction and Opening Banter 00:13 Prescription Woes and Dermatology Services 03:12 Amazon Affiliate Program Frustrations 05:25 Affiliate Marketing Strategies and Challenges 11:43 Leveraging Chat GPT for Business Efficiency 20:13 Backblaze Affiliate Success 24:48 Honey Browser Extension Controversy 28:03 Browser Extensions: Pros and Cons 28:38 The Camel Extension for Amazon 29:22 Streamy Yard and Browser Compatibility 30:14 Choosy App for Browser Management 32:00 Affiliate Links and Malware Concerns 36:16 Uptime Robot for Network Monitoring 45:13 Challenges with Network Monitoring 51:36 The Importance of Regular Network Updates 56:37 Subscription Benefits and Conclusion

    1h 1m

  2. JUN 10

    Best Of CCP - Beans In The Buckets

    Sam Valencia, Jerry Zigmont and Joe Saponare discuss working with Apple technology and clients. Drawn from their combined experience of over 20 years in the Apple Consultants Network, they discuss technical support issues both with the technology and working with clients.

    46 min

  3. JUN 3

    620: From Rooftops in Spain to QuickBooks User Pains

    In this episode of Command Control Power, the hosts discuss recent events including a vacation and the ACEs conference. They dive into a detailed troubleshooting story involving QuickBooks server issues and explore the challenges associated with setting up Windows PCs and QuickBooks for clients. Additional topics include managing one password admin access for clients and a debate over using cases for Macs. The episode also highlights the 10th anniversary of the Mac Admins community and offers useful insights for managed service providers.   00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:08 Vacation Recap: London and Spain 01:11 The Sunday Roast Experience 01:52 Yorkshire Pudding and British Cuisine 03:50 Party in Spain: Music, Conversations, and More 08:50 Back to Work: QuickBooks Troubles 28:46 QuickBooks Desktop vs. Online: The Cost Debate 29:11 Client's PC Purchase and Windows Upgrade Issues 30:12 Navigating Windows Setup and Software Challenges 31:00 Billing and Discounted Rates Discussion 33:00 Two-Factor Authentication Troubleshooting 35:11 One Password Support and Admin Access 47:10 Mac Admins Community and Personal Anecdotes 49:50 Client Device Trade-In and Repair Issues 51:58 Case or No Case: Protecting Your Devices

    57 min

  4. MAY 27

    619: Mac Misfires, Backblaze Blues, and the Cost of Bad Support

    In this episode, the hosts of Command Control Power discuss their personal lives and tech experiences, including outdoor activities and everyday tech issues. They delve into a peculiar issue one encountered with a MacBook Pro during an update, which turned out to be related to Dell Display Manager. The conversation also covers Backblaze backup anomalies, Apple's migration assistant quirks, and problematic customer service interactions with vendors like Microsoft and RingCentral. To wrap up, the team reflects on the importance of considering user behavior in quality assurance for tech products and services. 00:00 Introduction and Catching Up 00:54 Unexpected MacBook Pro Issue 03:33 Dell Display Manager Mystery 05:27 Annoying Software Bugs 08:48 Client Troubleshooting Story 17:55 Apple Watch Repair Misunderstanding 23:48 Backblaze Exclusions and Concerns 25:13 MacBook Air Story and Backup Issues 26:32 Backblaze Deduplication and Support 28:15 Trust Issues with Backblaze 30:48 Considering Alternative Backup Solutions 33:53 Client Concerns and Backup Costs 41:48 RingCentral and Phone Services 49:39 Quality Assurance in Tech 52:18 Concluding Thoughts and Listener Invitation

    57 min

  5. MAY 20

    Best Of CCP - 288: Shoehorns, Straight Jackets & Ducktape

    Sam Valencia, Jerry Zigmont and Joe Saponare discuss working with Apple technology and clients. Drawn from their combined experience of over 20 years in the Apple Consultants Network, thaey discuss technical support issues both with the technology and working with clients.

    50 min

  6. MAY 13

    Interview with Adam Engst: Navigating AI, Tech Ethics, and Business Models

    Interview with Adam Engst: Navigating AI, Tech Ethics, and Business Models   The hosts of Command Control Power are joined by Adam Engst of Tidbits Content Network for a wide-ranging discussion on the state of AI, the ethics of technology in business, and how evolving business models are influencing content creation. Topics include the 35th anniversary of Tidbits, the importance of maintaining human decency in business practices, the future of AI-based answer engines compared to traditional search engines, and the need for businesses to develop AI policies. Engst also shares personal anecdotes and offers insights on how to responsibly integrate AI into everyday professional tasks.   00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:09 Celebrating 35 Years of Tidbits 01:14 Navigating Current Events and Business Ethics 04:51 Challenges in Business and Academia 07:06 Handling Offboarding and Client Relations 10:12 The Impact of Media and Fiction on Real Life 12:12 A Lesson in Communication and De-escalation 18:15 The Rise of AI and Apple's Struggles 31:35 Introduction to Answer Engines 31:48 The Role of Original Sources 32:12 Impact of Answer Engines on Source Verification 33:03 Commercial Content vs. Non-Commercial Content 35:05 Challenges with Paywalls and Advertising Models 36:04 Micropayments as a Solution 37:07 The Evolution of Business Models 40:46 The Rise of AI Answer Engines 44:30 The Future of Search and AI Integration 58:40 The Importance of AI Policies in Business 01:01:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    1h 4m

  7. MAY 6

    616: Backblaze Blues, Alectrona Patch Updates & the MacBook Air That Took Flight

    The hosts of Command Control Power discuss recent issues with Backblaze, including failed updates and poor communication, which have eroded trust among users. They delve into the technical struggles with Apple's update processes and highlight improvements to the Electronic Patch software. Jerry shares a personal story about accidentally leaving his MacBook Air on top of his car and the ensuing repair saga, illustrating the importance of awareness and preparedness in the IT field. The episode wraps up with a reflection on the frustrations and foibles that come with managing tech in today's rapidly evolving landscape. 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:12 Backblaze Recap: Communication and QA Issues 01:32 Backblaze Update Problems and User Confusion 03:03 Backblaze's Compromised Credentials and Communication Breakdown 05:41 Inconsistent Communication and Crowdsourcing Solutions 18:18 Apple's QA Issues and Update Problems 33:01 General Frustrations with Technology and Education 35:45 AI Tools for Coders 36:14 Introducing Trona Patch 3.0 36:50 Customizing Patch Notifications 37:23 Client Reactions to Patch 39:39 New Features in Patch 3.0 46:51 Balancing Notifications and Updates 50:39 A Funny Anecdote 51:02 The MacBook Air Incident 55:04 Restoring from Backup 01:00:49 Final Thoughts and Thanks

    1h 10m

  8. APR 29

    Boutique Consultancy: Balancing High-Touch Service and Growth

    Boutique Consultancy: Balancing High-Touch Service and Growth   In this episode, the discussion revolves around the concept of boutique consultancy, highlighting the benefits of providing a personalized, high-touch service over rapid, automated responses. The conversation delves into the comparison between boutique firms and large-scale competitors, focusing on client satisfaction versus cost-saving strategies. Drawing parallels to Apple's business approach, the discussion extends to the evolution of consulting within the tech industry, emphasizing the importance of intelligent strategy over mere ticket resolutions. The conversation wraps up with practical insights into asset management, device lifecycle strategies, and the challenges and experiences of running a consultancy.   00:00 Introduction to Boutique Consultancy 01:31 The Apple Business Model as a Muse 03:14 The Role of Consulting in Managed Services 08:00 Challenges and Strategies in Client Management 09:22 Team Size and Economic Factors 12:03 Contract Structures and Pricing Strategies 21:25 Analytical Skills and Personal Background 25:51 Personal Time and Future Plans 28:36 Balancing Work and Family Life 29:13 Holiday Plans and Skiing Adventures 30:56 Generational Differences in Technology 33:25 Sustainable Business Practices 36:43 Lifecycle Management of Devices 42:01 Challenges and Strategies in Hardware Sales 47:16 The Importance of Client Relationships 49:31 Final Thoughts and Acknowledgements

    53 min
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4.7
out of 5
58 Ratings

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Sam, Jerry, and Joe discuss their thoughts and draw from their combined experience of over 20 years in the Apple Consultants Network (ACN).

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